New U.S. moms’ average age establishes record, topping 26NEW YORK — The average age of first-time mothers is at an all-time high in the U.S — over 26. The change is largely due to a big drop in teen moms. But more first births to older women also are tugging the number up, said T.J. Mathews of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He’s the lead author of a report released Thursday that put the average age at 26 years, 4 months for women who had their first child in 2014. The government beg...

The night the Holy Ghost visited the MethodistsRemember Ray Stevens’ crazy song about the Mississippi squirrel causing a revival in the Pascagoula church? I’m here to tell you about a similar event that took place in Carthage. It happened during a “Watch Night” service. For those who don’t know, Watch Night is a long service on New Year’s Eve that includes about five hours of singing, testifying, and preaching lasting up until midnight, when the church bell rings in the new year. This is h...

Club News: Sunnyfield Extension Homemakers Club hold January meetingThe January meeting of the Sunnyfield Extension Homemakers was on Jan. 5, 2016, at the home of Denise Styles. After a delicious variety of food — Hawaiian Bread Sandwiches and sweets of candy and cookies — Glenda Anderson, President, welcomed members and opened the meeting. The Thought for the Month was, “We have it in our power to begin the world over again” (Thomas Paine). The song “I Love To Tell the Story” was sung by the group. Agnes Alfo...

Diamond featured as prize during Savor the Symphony fundraiserThis year’s Savor The Symphony fundraiser will take place on Feb. 6 at the Russellville Country Club. This popular event is hosted and organized by the Russellville Symphony Guild board members. The evening will begin at 6 p.m. with heavy hors d’oeuvres, assorted beverages, a silent auction and live music by Drew Irvin as the strolling violinist. Irvin is a member of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Chamber Group. A three course seated dinner w...

Student incentive program receive donationATKINS — Atkins High School received a donation of $1,500 from the Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund to assist with the student incentives program. “We are extremely grateful to the Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund for their contribution to our student incentives program,” Dean of students Craig Pinion said. “After a great deal of research this summer, we decided to implement a program that rewards students for positive behaviors. The program is ...

Mexican Consulate selects Arkansas Tech University for 2016 scholarship fundingRepresentatives from the Consulate of Mexico in Little Rock announced, during a reception at Chambers Cafeteria on Dec. 3, that Arkansas Tech University will be the lone institution of higher learning in the State of Arkansas to receive IME Becas Fellowship scholarship funds during the 2016 calendar year. Andre Guerrero, member of the local IME Becas Fellowship committee that recommended Arkansas Tech for the scholarship funding, said that the...

University of Ozarks awards Heffley scholarshipShantanna Heffley, a senior at Deer High School (DHS), has been awarded a Commitment to Excellence Scholarship to attend University of the Ozarks (U of O), beginning in the Fall 2016 Semester. Heffley is the daughter of Travis and Loreshia Heffley of Pelsor. She plans to major in biology at U of O. At DHS, she was a member of BETA, FBLA and Skills USA. She was also recognized for maintaining a 4.0 GPA. The Commitment to Excellence Scholarship ...

Delta Kappa Gamma initiates recognizedThe Beta Nu Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma (DKG) Society International recently recognized their new initiates for the 2014-2015 biennium. The mission of DKG is to promote professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education.

Roys — GraceMr. Michael Roys and Mrs. Lisa Price of Russellville are pleased to announce the marriage of their daughter Grace Elizabeth Roys to Sawyer McConnell Grace. Grace is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Price and Mr. and Mrs. Mike Roys. Sawyer is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Greg Grace. His grandparents are the late Bill Grace and wife, Mrs. Bill Grace and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bolen. Grace is a Russellville High School Graduate. She is currently a ...

Universities tap into craft beer growth by offering classesMONTPELIER, Vt. — With an explosion in growth in the craft beer industry over the last decade, it’s not enough to simply have a passion for brewing and beer when it comes to starting a brewery or working for one as the industry gets more competitive. Recognizing that, some universities are now offering programs on the business of craft beer. In the last decade, the number of craft breweries has grown to more than 4,000 in the U.S. today, from ...

Fultz-Rosewell retirement reception heldOZARK — There was a reception on Dec. 2 to honor of Cathy Fultz-Rosewell, retiring at the end of the semester after 25 years of teaching at Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus. Fultz-Rosewell, program chairwoman of the cosmetology program, began teaching at Arkansas Tech-Ozark, then Arkansas Valley Vocational Technical School, in 1991. Prior to teaching, she owned her own salon for 10 years. During her time as faculty, she has seen more than...

Petty assigned to Russellville Air Force recruiting officeStaff Sergeant Robert Petty has been assigned to the Air Force recruiting office, 2752 East Parkway, Suite 4, in Russellville. As an Air Force recruiter, Petty is responsible for inspiring, engaging and recruiting future Airmen in Russellville and surrounding areas. Prior to his assignment in Russellville, he was assigned to Edwards Air Force Base in California as a Security Forces Member. To contact Staff Sergeant Petty about the Air Force, c...

Christmas card contest winners announcedSaint Mary’s Regional Medical Center announced the winners of the 2015 Saint Mary’s Christmas Card coloring contest. This year, the school that was selected to participate was London Elementary School. The winner of the contest won a $50 gift certificate and their artwork was placed on Saint Mary’s Christmas card, which Saint Mary’s sent to all of its physicians, volunteers and hospital managers. The winners of this years contest were Natalie ...

First baby of 2016Jennifer and Joe Edwards hold their baby girl, Cora Isabel Edwards, Saturday morning at Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center. Cora was the first baby born in 2016 for Pope County. She was born at 6:37 p.m. on New Year’s Day, was 19 inches in length and weighed 5 pounds and 9 ounces.

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THE COURIER / Joshua MashonThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Foster — McKnightMr. and Mrs. Rocky Foster are proud to announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Ashley Foster, to Austin McKnight, son of Mr. and Mrs. T.J. Cauthron of Paris, Ark. and Mr. and Mrs. Jack McKnight of Greenbrier. Ashley is a graduate of the University of Arkansas with a Masters in early childhood education and is currently employed at the Western Yell County School District as a First and Second Grade teacher. Austin is...